Cork Your Excitement! It's Pumpkin Painting Time!

Calling all crafty kiddos (and grown-up helpers)! Fall is in the air, and that means pumpkins are everywhere! But this year, why not skip the mess of carving and try a fun, textured pumpkin project using everyone's favorite leftover - wine corks?

Looking for a fun and festive fall craft for the kids? Look no further than cork pumpkins! This project is perfect for little hands and even littler attention spans. It's easy to set up, uses recycled materials, and lets kids unleash their creativity. Plus, it's a great way to introduce them to painting in a tactile way.

Here's what you'll need:

• Wine corks (enough for each child to make a pumpkin)
• A paper plate
• White paper
• Orange paint
• Paint brushes
• Green paint
• Black paint 

Pour a quarter sized drop of paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your little artists the corks, and encourage them to begin by stamping a circle shape with one color of orange paint.

Encourage the kids to now fill in the large outline of a circle by dipping their cork into orange paint and stamping it in.

When the pumpkin is filled in, dip the side of the cork into the green paint.

Slide the cork upwards to form a stem. 

Let the kids dot the stem with the wine cork.

Allow to dry and display on the fridge.

These are so cute and fun that you might want to make a few and share with a special neighbor or a grandparent.

Building Fine Motor Skills

Grasping a wine cork is a great way for little hands to develop the strength and dexterity needed for important tasks like writing and buttoning clothes. The wide, rounded surface is easy for children to hold, allowing them to focus on the creative process rather than struggling with grip.

Encouraging Exploration and Experimentation

Cork painting is all about having fun and getting messy! There's no right or wrong way to use a cork stamp. Kids can experiment with different dipping techniques, applying pressure to create lighter or darker prints, and even using multiple colors at once. This freedom to explore fosters a love of learning and experimentation, which are essential for a child's development.

Find more favorite cork painting projects here:

Cork and Button Apple Tree Art

Christmas Tree Stamp Painting

Hungry Caterpillar Process Art

Corked Stamped Corn Craft

 

More Than Just Brushes: The Fun and Learning of Painting with Unconventional Tools

Painting is a beloved activity for kids, but it can sometimes feel limited to just brushes and paint palettes. Here's a secret: there's a whole world of creative exploration waiting to be discovered with everyday objects like wine corks! In fact, incorporating unconventional tools like corks into your child's next art project can be both fun and educational.

This is such a fun project for little ones, and the results are simply stunning. You will love adding this cork stamped corn art to your refrigerator.

Why Unconventional Tools?

• Sensory Play: Wine corks provide a unique texture for little hands to explore. The cork's bumpy surface creates interesting marks on the paper, adding a new dimension to sensory play, which is crucial for early childhood development.

• Fine Motor Skills: Grasping and maneuvering a cork requires focus and hand-eye coordination. This strengthens the small muscles in the hand and wrist, which are vital for tasks like writing and buttoning clothes.

• Problem-Solving: Using a non-traditional tool like a cork encourages kids to think outside the box. They'll experiment with different ways to hold the cork, apply pressure, and achieve desired effects on the paper.

• Creativity Boost: Stepping away from the standard brush opens the door to a world of artistic possibilities. Kids can create unique textures, patterns, and shapes with the cork, fostering their creativity and imagination.

The Case for the Corked Indian Corn

Your corked stamped Indian corn craft is a perfect example of the magic of unconventional tools. It combines the classic appeal of a seasonal craft with the exciting exploration of using a cork for stamping. This project allows kids to:

• Learn About Nature: Indian corn, with its vibrant colors and unique shapes, can spark conversations about nature and harvest traditions.

• Practice Colors: Painting the corn provides an opportunity to explore different colors and how they mix together.

• Develop Pattern Recognition: The repetitive stamping with the cork creates a pattern, helping kids develop basic pattern recognition skills.

Supplies:

Paint in red, orange, yellow, green and brown colors.

A paper plate

A cork

Paper

Directions
Pour a quarter size dab of paint in each color onto a paper plate.
Using a cork, begin to shape the green husk of the corn. To make it easy

for little ones, you could ask them to stamp the shape of a U onto the paper. 

Now, ask the artists to begin stamping, using one color at a time, to fill in the ear of corn. Ask your artist to use each color several times.

Allow to dry and display.

Beyond the Cork:

Wine corks are just the tip of the iceberg! There are endless possibilities when it comes to unconventional painting tools. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Nature's Paintbrushes: Use leaves, pinecones, or even feathers to create unique textures and shapes.
• Kitchen Creativity: Spoons, forks, and even rubber spatulas can be transformed into fun painting tools.
• Recycled Fun: Give plastic bottles, cardboard tubes, or even bubble wrap a new life as creative painting tools.

So next time you're planning a painting activity with your kids, ditch the traditional brushes and explore the world of unconventional tools. You might be surprised at the fun, learning, and creativity that unfolds!

Find more cool crafts for kids here:

Hungry Caterpillar Process Art

Cork and Button Apple Trees

Sunflower Stamped Apples

Dive into Fun with a Kid-Made Fish Tank!

 Calling all creative captains! Are you ready to set sail for an ocean of imagination? Today, we're building a cute little fish tank, and the best part is, there are no limits to what your little ones can create!

This exciting craft is perfect for a rainy day or a dose of undersea whimsy. It's easy to customize and allows kids to explore their artistic talents while learning about the fascinating world of fish.

This project is perfect for a rainy day. It uses simple supplies and is so much fun to add your own touches. Kids will love making their own little friend, and taking it everywhere!

Supplies:

Small jar with lid (I used the button jars from Dollar Tree)

Several buttons

A 6” section of string

Glue

Tape

Scissors

Googly eyes

Paint samples

Directions:

Fold a paint sample in half

Cut the paint sample in the shape of a fish so that you have 2 fish.

Place glue on the backs of the fish.

Place the string so that it is in the center of the fish when they are placed on top of each other.

Glue on the eyes.

Tape the string to the inside of the lid of the jar.

Place a few buttons inside the jar.

Place the lid on the jar and admire your adorable swimming fish.

Aren't these so cute? You can make them in a variety of colors, and if you have a container that is large enough you can add multiple fish! Just vary the length of your string so they aren't hanging at the same level.

Harper had a ton of fun with this project and I know your kids will too. We took this little guy along on quite a few adventures. He traveled quite well!

Crafting with kids isn't just about making cool stuff (though that's definitely a perk!). It's a fantastic opportunity to bond, get creative, and explore the world through a hands-on lens. But with busy schedules and overflowing craft supply bins, getting started can feel overwhelming.

Here are some tips for making the most of craft time.

• Get down to their level: Sit on the floor with your child and participate in the activity. Show them your own excitement and creativity!
• Focus on the process, not the product: The joy of crafting comes from creating together, not achieving perfection.
• Let them take the lead: Encourage their creativity and allow them to make choices. Their unique ideas are what makes their crafts special!

Setting the Stage for Success:

• Prepare your workspace: Cover the table with newspaper or a tablecloth for easy cleanup. Have all materials within reach to avoid frustration.
• Embrace the mess: Crafting can get messy, and that's perfectly okay! Lay down a tarp outdoors for messy activities or use a large plastic bin for easy containment.
• Safety first: Be mindful of your child's age and choose age-appropriate materials. Adult supervision is always recommended for younger children, especially with scissors or glue.

Find more favorite craft ideas here:

Boredom Busters

Bunches of Grapes Process Art

Leaf Fox Family

Fun and Creative Kids Activity: Stamping Bunches of Grapes Process Art

 Looking for a fun and creative kids activity that is both educational and festive? Look no further than stamping bunches of grapes with pencil erasers and wine corks! This activity is perfect for kids of all ages, and it can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.

We love to paint with all kinds of things! From wine corks, to dried flower heads, and everything in between. This easy painting project is perfect for kids of all ages. Little ones will love working on a few bunches or grapes, while tweens and teens can create more elaborate works of art.

What is Process Art for Kids

Process art for kids is a type of art where the focus is on the process of creating the art, rather than the finished product. This type of art is often open-ended and allows kids to be creative and expressive. There are many different types of process art that kids can do, such as:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Collage
• Sculpture
• Performance art
• Installation art

Process art is a great way for kids to explore their creativity and to learn about different art materials and techniques. It can also help them to develop their fine motor skills and their problem-solving skills.

Here are some tips for doing process art with kids:

• Provide a variety of art materials and let kids explore them.
• Don't be afraid to get messy!
• Encourage kids to be creative and expressive.
• Don't judge their art.
• Celebrate their creativity.

Process art can be a lot of fun for kids. It's a great way for them to express themselves and to learn about art. So get creative and let your kids explore the world of process art!

Supplies:

• Purple Paint
• Green Paint
• A paper plate
• A pencil eraser
• A wine cork
• White paper

Begin by stamping one purple dot, then on the next row, stamp two. Repeat thru 4 to 5 rows of grapes.

Repeat until your paper has plenty of purple bunches of grapes. 

Now grab your wine cork and dip into the green paint.

Fill the blank space in between grapes with green dots for leaves. When you are finished your paper should look like this.

So pretty! Let this dry and display it somewhere in the house. You could stick it on the fridge, but this turns out so cute you might want to frame it.

This is a perfect spring or summer craft for kids of all ages. It is easy, and needs no special supplies. I know you will have fun with this process art project.

Find more fun kids craft ideas here:

Pineapple process art

Cork and Button Apple Trees

Here are some process art for kids ideas:

• Painting with natural materials: Gather some natural materials, such as leaves, flowers, twigs, and grass. Dip the materials in paint and then stamp them onto paper.
• Collage: Collect a variety of materials, such as magazines, newspapers, fabric, and yarn. Cut out shapes from the materials and then glue them onto paper to create a collage.
• Sculpting with playdough: Playdough is a great material for sculpting. Kids can use their imaginations to create anything they want, such as animals, people, or objects.
• Performance art: Performance art is a type of art that is performed in front of an audience. Kids can create their own performance art pieces, such as dances, songs, or plays.
• Installation art: Installation art is a type of art that is installed in a specific space. Kids can create their own installation art pieces, such as sculptures, paintings, or photographs.

These are just a few ideas for process art for kids. There are many other possibilities, so get creative and let your kids explore their imaginations!

Sunflower Stamped Apples

 Kids are going to love this hands on art project that incorporates nature to make a fun print that looks great when displayed! It is easy, needs the most basic supplies and turns out to be so cute!  Make this apple stamping art project after a visit to the orchard, or just as a fun craft to do together.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Aren't these apples the cutest thing for little hands? All you need is a few colors of paint, a sheet of paper and a dried up sunflower head to make these with your kids. This is great for younger kids.

We visited the farmers market and purchased some sunflowers a few weeks earlier. After they had started to dry out, we plucked the petals off and were left with the heads.

Harp and I thought it would be fun to paint with them, so I grabbed a few bottles of cheap paint and some paper. This is what we came up with.

Supplies:

Paint in red, green and yellow

Paper Plate

Sunflower

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Pour  paint onto a paper plate. You need about a quarter sized drop.

Press your sunflower head into the paint and press it onto the paper.

Repeat as desired.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Find more fun kids art projects here:
Pineapple Process Art
Christmas Tree Art
Cork and Button Apple Tree Art

3 Ways To Help Your Kids Learn Better Going Forward

 You might think that the education of your children is something that falls squarely on the shoulders of the school that they attend, but this is not the case. It’s important that you are also taking an active role in your child’s education, ensuring that you are doing everything that you can to give them the best educational experience ever. If you don’t know how to do this then you have come to the right place, because we’re going to be taking a look at some of our best tips. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Image Source - CC0 License

Digital Learning Can Be Helpful

The first thing that we’re going to say is that you need to understand just how important digital learning can be to the development of your children and their education. We know that some people think that technology is bad and that it can only be used for social purposes, but this is not the case. It has a lot of uses, and learning is one of them. There are plenty of educational websites out there that can help advance the understanding of your children. It’s just a case of finding them, or asking teachers to recommend some that your child can use.

Look At The Different Ways Of Learning

The next thing that you need to do is look into and understand different ways of learning. The more that you understand here, the easier you will find it to help. Some kids just don’t learn the same way as others, and it’s essential that you are helping your child to learn in a way that they understand, but also helps them to thrive. It might mean that you have to try new, different ways of learning to find the one that suits them best, but eventually you will get there and your kids will thank you for it.

Make It Fun And Exciting

The last thing that we’re going to say is that you need to make it fun and exciting. You can find some awesome activities online that you can use to teach your kids about certain things. For example, there are some fun St. Patricks Day activities that you can use, and plenty of others to learn about all of the significant days. It’s not that difficult to do a little bit of research and make the learning experiences as fun as possible, you just need to be willing to put in a little bit of effort! 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to help your kids learn better going forward. Not every kid is going to learn in the same way, and it’s important that you understand this so that you can provide your kid with the correct support going forward. We wish you the very best of luck with this, and hope that you manage to see success here in the future.